AwardYear: 1996-1997 ChapterNumber: 1 ChapterTitle: Basic Requirements Section: Introduction PageNumber: This guide will assist financial aid administrators in completing verification, the process of checking the accuracy of the information students provide when they apply for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Verification is only REQUIRED for certain applicants, but you may verify the application information of any student who applies for federal student aid. [[HEA of 1965, as amended]] [[34 CFR Part 668, Subpart E]] The verification procedures are governed by the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, and Subpart E of 34 CFR Part 668, "Verification of Student Aid Applicant Information," published in the Federal Register on April 29, 1994, November 29, 1994, and June 30, 1995. INTRODUCTION [[Programs covered by verification requirements]] The verification requirements explained in this guide apply to all applicants for federal student aid under the following SFA programs: - The Federal Pell Grant Program - The William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan (Direct Loan) Program*1* - The Federal Stafford Loan Program*2* - The Campus-Based Programs - Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants FSEOG) - Federal Perkins Loans - Federal Work-Study (FWS) Verification is not required for (1) the State Student Incentive Grant (SSIG) Program, unless the school is certain that an applicant's state grant contains federal funds, or (2) the Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program. Note that the Paul Douglas Teacher Scholarship Program and the National Science Scholarship Program (NSSP) have not been funded for 1996-97. [[The list summarizing the programs for which verification is and is not required on page 2 is currently unavailable for viewing. Please reference your paper document for additional information.]] Under the Title IV Quality Assurance (QA) Program, participating schools develop and implement a quality improvement approach to SFA program administration and delivery. QA schools are exempt from certain administrative and procedural requirements, including verification requirements, as prescribed by regulations. The QA Program methodology provides QA schools with an alternative management approach for developing and refining their own systems for verifying institutional and student financial aid application data. Participating schools should refer to the QA Workbook for verification exemptions. NOTE THAT ALL CURRENT REQUIREMENTS FOR DISBURSEMENT, UPDATING, AND DEADLINES--AND THE CONSEQUENCES FOR FAILING TO PROVIDE REQUESTED DOCUMENTS--STILL APPLY TO QA SCHOOLS. |